Where is the safety kill switch/clutch on a 79 xs

[dpl3]

Where is the safety kill switch/clutch on a 79 xs 650. Changed handle bars and starter button quit working.

[pamcopete]

dp13,

The safety switch is on the right side handle bar controls. Three position. Off-On-Off.

The starter button gets its ground from the horn button on the left side controls. If you have not installed the horn button or hooked it up correctly, then the starter button will not have a ground to work with. Just try grounding the handle bars to test.

[dpl3]

I was refering to the clutch lever safety. You know you have to pull in the clutch for the electric starter to work. Horn works I will ground the bars, dont think thats it though. thanks!

[preston]

This is a 1979 bike, which i think that foreign concept, ( clutch in to start ) was not dreamed about yet ?
maybe i am not correct ?
preston

[grepper]

I'm pretty sure that clutch safety switch was not used on the xs650s till sometime after 1980.

[ShakerNorm]

My 79 doesn't have any kind of a switch on the clutch... and ya - it starts without pulling on the clutch (at least when it's in neutral, anyway.....)

[xsleo]

On your handle bars, are they painted? The horn button works because that side has a ground wire. The starter button uses the bars as a ground path to the ground wire on the horn button housing.
The paint or powder coat prevents the electrical flow from the right to left side switch housings. Clean off some of the paint off the bars under the housings so they get good contact with the steel underneath.
Leo